youth programs - driving the passion for classics

Hagerty is dedicated to helping ensure the future of the classic car hobby by Driving the Passion for Classics and providing young people unique access to classic car related experiences through various youth services with our Youth Advocacy Program.

Since 2007, more than 3,000 people age 25 and under have participated in the Hagerty Youth Advocacy Program to gain insider access to the classic car and boat hobby. Hagerty provides these youth services as a way of ‘giving back' to the classic car industry to support and encourage the next generation of car enthusiasts and collectors.

Youth Judging

Introduced as our first official youth service in 2007, the Youth Judging Program is hosted at more than 70 classic car and boat events throughout the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Designed primarily for youth ages 8-14, the Youth Judging Program brings the world of classics to a kid friendly level. The Young Judges are guided through the show field as a group to pre-selected show cars and interact with owners, allowing the judges to learn details, history and fun facts about each. A simplified score card that highlights five basic categories and is rated on a scale of 1-to-5 is used. For more information or to request a Youth Judging kit for your show, contact youthjudging@hagerty.com or 231.929.6147.

Hagerty Driving Experience

Introduced in 2011, more than 350 young drivers have been introduced to the excitement of driving classic cars while teaching the basics of driving a manual. The Hagerty Driving Experience is designed to teach young drivers, ages 15-25 how to operate a manual transmission – all while behind the wheel of exciting classic cars. Some of the classic cars that have been available to drive include a 1928 Packard phaeton, 1930 Ford Model A, 1955 Porsche Continental, 1963 Corvette split-window coupe and many others! The program has gained national attention and support from many car clubs and groups, including Ford Motor Company. If you're interested in taking part in this exciting program as an instructor or participant, please visit www.hagerty.com/drivingexperience to find out where the next programs will be hosted or contact us at YouthPrograms@hagerty.com!

Hagerty Valve Cover Races

Hagerty is off to the races! Valve Cover Races, that is. Similar to Pinewood derby racing, this form of racing involves assembling a rolling racer with a starting point of an engine's valve cover. From there, gravity takes over as two of the home built racers speed down special-designed sloping track. Please contact us at YouthPrograms@hagerty.com or visit www.hagerty.com/valvecoverracing to find out more on where we will be and program rules!

Past Initiatives

Scale Model Building Contest

The Scale Model Building Contest partnered youth aged 8 to 12 with supporting car clubs to build a scale model car. Each participating car club hosted several participants, helping them build the model and using the time to teach them about cars. Once models were complete the club voted on the best, which was then submitted to Hagerty as a finalist. The top 5 submitted models were selected and the builders and a guardian received an all-expense-paid trip to Monterey Classic Car Week for final judging by a panel of VIP Judges. The hosting car clubs of the finalists also received $500.

Youth Reporter Contest

The classic car world is full of interesting cars and people that want to share their story. This led us to create the Youth Reporter Contest in 2011. Participants from across the country and Canada submitted a video of themselves reporting on a classic car-related topic and the winner was selected by public online vote. The prize? All-expense-paid trips to three major collector car events, including Monterey Classic Car Week and a special trip to Los Angeles to interview Jay Leno and tour his Big Dog Garage!

Young Designers Contest

Hagerty's Young Designers Contest was introduced in 2010 for young people passionate about automotive design and provided them the opportunity to showcase their skills. Designers, ages 13-17 years old, were asked to submit original renderings of what they thought their favorite classic car would look like if designed 50 years down the road in 2060. The top five finalists were selected through online voting and were awarded an all-expense-paid trip with one guardian to Monterey, Calif., during the Monterey Classic Car Week for final judging by a panel of VIP Judges including host of Chasing Classic Cars Wayne Carini, Stewart Reed of the Art Center College for Design and former GM Chief Designer, Tom Gale.

For more information on any of these programs or to learn how you can be involved, please contact us at YouthPrograms@hagerty.com.